Opinion

Touring is a minimalist endeavor, trimming your life down to the basics. One of those unavoidable basics is staying well fed. But what’s the right thing to eat? Well, you wouldn’t put regular unleaded into a Ferrari, so why would you shove a convenience store egg salad sandwich into your face? Because you’re in the middle of Ohio, you’re really sick of trail mix and protein...

Valentine’s Day has come and gone once again, and one thing is clear  Philly loves biking! We had lots of great submissions to the #PhillyBikeLove photo contest, thanks to all who entered, and even bigger thanks to all those who love to cycle around The City of Brotherly Love! Also, thanks to our guest photographer judge David Maialetti of the Philadelphia Daily News and the Philadelphia In...

Does your bike have a name? Do you refer to your bike by that name when talking to others? Do you assume that they know who you’re talking about? When your friends tell you that they don’t know who you’re talking about, do you get upset? Visibly upset? Twitching-eyelid, shaking-hands upset? If you’ve answered yes to all of the above, don’t worry. There’s nothing...

I bike for fitness and decreasing my carbon footprint, but really I do it because I am too lazy to walk, too cheap to take the bus, and finding parking is expensive and a pain. On a bike, I can get to my destination quickly and lock up my transportation right outside (or close by). I am also a creature of habit. I usually pick the shortest route possible and ride that same route every time I go to...

Editor’s Note: Contributor Luke Elrath has broad and deep experience in the bicycle industry. Here he shares some information from his current job as a bicycle forensic investigator and how it applies to keeping your bike  and you  safe. In my work I look into the factors that contributed to a cycling incident and try to find out what caused it. In some cases I will discover that a bicycle...

Editor’s Note: Winter is a time to look back and to plan for the future. In the coming weeks, our authors will give you tips and stories from their bike trips. With advice from experienced touring cyclists like Tony Mustache and the adventures of a rider who took her first long-distance daytrip this summer, look to Philly Pedals for an escape from the winter slush and ice. You can’t be...

On this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, Philly Pedals staff and contributors wanted to share what keeps us thankful about riding a bike and about what makes Philadelphia a great cycling city. Creative Director Sierra Skidmore is thankful that the cycling community has welcomed Philly Pedals with open arms. I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and can’t wait to see how this al...

Who needs friends when you have the Badlands? While you’re touring, you’ll likely meet people. Maybe they’re on tour too, maybe they’re just weekend warriors riding their workday worries away on their weight weenie Pinarellos, or maybe they’re just some kid who has a flat tire and is in desperate need of help. You’ll likely get the urge to stop, talk to them, an...

The author catches up on the French cinema over a mid-ride coffee break. Photo credit: Stuart Rome You’ve probably seen the video more than 1.4 million people have: Rudi Saldia and his cat, Mary Jane, selfie-ing around town on a bike, the cat on Rudi’s shoulder, nuzzling the mustachioed courier as he wheels down leafy narrow streets, blue skies and fluffy white clouds overhead, or crui...